The feel-good novel prize

We've all experienced it at least once in our lives: sometimes we close a novel with a happy, even joyful feeling. It has given us literary pleasure, but it has also made us smile, laugh, travel, dream... It has enriched us, nourished us, carried us away, made us want to (re)reach out to others, perhaps even to embark on an adventure. In short, it's done us good by giving us a break from reality.
The original idea behind the feel-good novel prize is to combine the sharp eye of established
with the more spontaneous but equally passionate views of Fontvieillois readers.

The programme:

Friday 27 September
6pm: Screening of ‘L'homme aux mille visages’ (The Man with a Thousand Faces) at the Eden cinema.
An exceptional documentary, screened in the presence of Sonia Kronlund, the director and author of the eponymous book published by Grasset. The story of a man who changes his first name, profession and country of origin every time he meets someone, and has no qualms about living with four women at the same time. An incredible investigation into an impostor with a thousand imaginary lives.

9pm: Concert and reading in front of the Château de Montauban in partnership with Les Fêtes des Quatre Saisons.
Fauré's Last Love
Gabriel Fauré's love affair with Marguerite Hasselmans, witness to the last twenty-four years of the French composer's life, inspired pianist Aline Piboule and writer Pascal Quignard to engage in an intimate conversation between music and words: each lends his or her ‘voice’ to an intimate programme combining piano and narrative. A secret face of the master emerges, far beyond the suffering caused in the evening of his life by a cruel form of deafness. Musical programme: Gabriel Fauré, Improvisation, Barcarolles n°9 to 13, Nocturnes n°11 to13, Thèmes et variations.

Saturday 28 September
11am: Meeting with our guest of honour, Françoise Nyssen, at the Eden cinema
3.30pm: Presentation of the Prix du Roman qui fait du bien under Les Halles in Fontvieille, followed by signatures by the winner and the writers in attendance
5.00 pm: Screening and meeting with Jacques Ferrandez
Screening of a documentary on his work as a cartoonist based on Jean Giono's novel ‘Le chant du monde’. Presentation of his new graphic novel, ‘La théorie d'Alger’, with a screening of a number of illustrations. The author will be signing his book, published by Éditions Actes-Sud, as a preview.